Riviera Village
Coastal village on the Redondo Beach Riviera
Riviera Village Overview: A charming area in Redondo Beach, CA, situated between the beach and Pacific Coast Highway, featuring approximately 300 boutiques, small businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, spas, and nightlife.
Atmosphere and Aesthetics: Known for its small-town feel, public art (painted benches, murals, etc.), colorful flowers, and a vibrant atmosphere, particularly at night with its lighting.
Dining Scene: Offers diverse cuisine options. Many restaurants added outdoor patios post-2020 pandemic, enhancing the area’s appeal.
Featured Businesses:
Spritz Salon: A newly opened (Jan 2022) speakeasy-style salon, owned by Beth, a long-time Redondo Beach resident.
Coffee Cartel (est. 1992): Redondo Beach’s first authentic coffee house, with a unique atmosphere and popular items like the Morning Hammer and Lavender Tea Latte.
Little French Bakery: Offers various pastries, complementing Coffee Cartel’s offerings.
HT Grill, Rebel Republic Social House, Rockefeller: Breakfast and beyond options located at the start of Catalina Avenue.
Swell Deli (opened June 2020): Deli serving high-quality sandwiches, with popular choices like the Beach
Blanket and Good Fellow.
Riviera House: Known for its fish and chips.
Locality 90: Wood-fired pizza, with the Margarita pizza as a best-seller.
Flying Fin: Sushi restaurant.
Redondo Beach Brewing Company: Offers food, drinks, and an upstairs patio.
Bedalino’s Kitchen: Italian restaurant; Tortellini all Lemon is a popular dish.
Aloha Bungalow: Boutique store selling locally made gifts and home decor.
Turquoise: Greek restaurant with outdoor patio and a view of the main intersection.
Vida Modern Taqueria: Offers a variety of tacos and burritos.
Yum Bar: Cold-pressed snack bars.
Hand & Scoop: Ice cream parlor.
Rock & Brews: Restaurant and bar with a rock-and-roll theme.
Calaveras: Mexican restaurant with a lively atmosphere.
Catalina Avenue: The main street of Riviera Village, where many restaurants and shops are located.
Sunday Farmer’s Market: Located in the parking lots, offering various products.
Historical Buildings
Remember South Bay Galleria, Redondo Beach?
Early History (1955-1959): The South Bay Center (later Galleria) opened in 1957 as an open-air mall, anchored by The May Company. It featured a bowling alley and a unique underground delivery system.
Political Significance: John F. Kennedy gave a campaign speech at the South Bay Center in 1960.
Competition and Transformation (1970s-1980s): Facing competition from newer malls, the South Bay Center underwent a major renovation in the 1980s, becoming the enclosed South Bay Galleria.
Anchor Store Changes (1990s-2010s): The mall experienced numerous anchor store changes, including the closure and replacement of The May Company (Robinson’s May, then Macy’s) and Mervyn’s (replaced by Kohl’s). Nordstrom also closed and relocated.
Current State (2020s): The South Bay Galleria is currently anchored by Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target, Q, and an AMC Theatres multiplex. It is considered by many to be a “dead mall,” though renovation plans are underway. A total of five anchor stores have closed in the mall’s history.
Ownership Changes: The mall has changed hands several times, with recent acquisition by Australian investment firm QIC, which plans further renovations including outdoor space and additional buildings.
